Petworth Town Band offers Remembrance concert

Petworth Town Band is offering a special evening of music and reflection at St Mary's Church, Petworth on Saturday, October 24 as part of the season of Remembrance.

Under the title Echoes of Conflict, Sounds of Remembrance, the concert will commemorate the sacrifices made during times of conflict past and present while celebrating, through music, the enduring spirit of remembrance.

The band is promising a carefully selected programme of stirring melodies, military favourites, reflective works and an uplifting band repertoire. The evening will also include the Petworth and Billingshurst branches of the Royal British Legion, plus Petworth Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers.

As band master Martyn Streeter and musical director Paula Streeter say, the concert offers an opportunity for audiences to gather in remembrance, reflection and gratitude as the nation approaches the annual Remembrance period.

Martyn said: “This is our third Remembrance concert. The first one was in the November before Covid. Last year was the first one where we were really trying to make something of it and involved the Royal British Legion. We want to make it an annual event. We want people to know that it's happening and to put it in their diaries well in advance.”

Paula agreed: “We want it set in stone that it is two weeks and one day before Remembrance Sunday, just the right time for the poppy sellers.

“We decided the programme between us. We're trying to tailor the second half to be all about Remembrance. You've got The Last Post and you've got some really rousing music and also some poignant moments whereas the first half is about melodies that are appropriate and some are a little bit light-hearted. We've got a selection from Glenn Miller. It is all topical. We've also got a beautiful piece which was sung by the Military Wives at the Royal Albert Hall, a piece called Wherever You Are. We are doing an instrumental version.

“The first half of the concert will be a bit more light-hearted and then the second half will be similar to the Festival of Remembrance.”

Martyn added: “We want to include all the conflicts. We've got a piece in the first half called Prayer for Ukraine. You think of veterans and you think of World War Two but really this is for veterans of all wars.

“With the theme We Remember, We Honour, We Play On, the evening promises an emotional and inspiring musical journey, paying tribute to past generations while highlighting the important role of community and remembrance today.”

Tickets are available online at www.petworthtownband.com. Price: £12 (£12.80 including fees). They are also available from Austen’s in Petworth and Karen Williams Hair in Midhurst (both cash only) and also on the door where concession tickets for veterans will also be available. Doors and bar open at 7pm.

The concert comes at a good time for the band. As Martyn says: “We are getting more support from the town which is great. It's really good that we were asked to play during the Petworth Festival this year. It's a very prestigious event. Things are going well for the band.”